The Green Greek (my old blog)

2012-03-13T20:19:00.001+02:00

New beginnings

2011-01-12T21:45:00.000+02:00

Hello dear friends,

With the beginning of the year, I also finalised my plans of renewing my blogging experience-and yours.

I have discussed this in the past, but I was not sure if I wanted to do it, and what it would mean to my relationship with you. You know how I cherish our friendship!

And yet, I wanted to put almost everything on a new basis, the "green" part and the "Greek" part of my blog, with who I am now, almost five years after I launched my ship in the blogosphere, and thus, to put forward a more honnest and whole "me".

So,

with all this in mind,

I am launching

The E-Diaries

I hope to see you there, soon!

http://the-e-diaries.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T01:52:00.000+02:00

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, loving, joyful and creative 2011!

2 days for Christmas

2010-12-23T02:22:00.001+02:00

Hello dear friends,

I thought I wouldn't stop by before Christmas, but here you are, and here I am :-)
I am particularly happy that our dearest friend Denise is back on-line. Hi Denise! We've missed you, and were so worried about you!

We are two days away from Christmas eve, and I am looking forward to switching off must-do-contacts and concentrate on family and friends.

We are facing some challenges right now. Both C and myself have some exams to do that are not particularly pleasant, but we must do them. So please say a little prayer for us, that our exams come out nice and clean.
Prayers work miracles, especially on Christmastime!

The general gloom in this part of the world thanks to Greece's politicians and the world money lenders is suffocating at times. If you smile, people look at you as if you were a wierdo. We are all supposed to bend our knees and cut open our veins for the parasites to feed themselves on our blood. We won't do it, some of us won't at least. So we are holding on tight and try to avoid people who bring us down with their moods and pessimism.

In this spirit, last week we hosted a little party at the shop, for our customers' kids and everyone who wanted to come. People were so surprised we did not charge anything. They were expecting to pay, and many did not come because they thought they ought to. In the 14th year in this part of the world, and I still feel like an alien at times.

OK, stop wining, dear, it's Christmas!

See my new blog theme? You know I like changing it, like every other month? This time, Dani, a lovely person and a skilled blog designer made me a custom header and a new background. So I am all dressed up for Christmas, blogwise!

So, ladies, I am puting on some sparkly lights, blowing red lipsticked kisses your way, and wishing you a night of wonder and love in your hearts and souls.

From our family creche to you all out there,

Merry Christmas!

2010 Christmas Tour of Homes

2010-12-17T01:48:00.003+02:00

Hello dear friends,

Welcome to my 2010 Christmas Tour of Homes post!

This year we started the festive season by decorating first our shop,

...and then our home...and garden...

We wish you all a very blessed, peaceful Christmas season, and a lovely 2011!

P.S. Snow with cherry syroup, anyone?

{With many thanks to The Nester for hosting}

Merry Christmas!

Snowtime!

2010-12-17T00:49:00.001+02:00

Hello dear friends,

This morning we woke up to snow. Not too much, but enough to keep the kids and ourselves from going to school and work in the morning.

i love the blue light of the morning

...our garden...

...our doggy neighbour...

...hot chocolate time...

I hope you are all baking and decorating,

and getting ready for a beautiful, blessed and merry Christmas!

Christmas ding-dong-ding!

2010-12-09T02:04:00.000+02:00

Hello dear friends,

I hope you are all doing OK. I popped over to see you tonight, and most of you haven't posted for days-just like me! Are you busy decorating and baking? Or is blogging simply taking its toll on your lives and you want to do more living and less blogging?
I wasn't in the mood for blogging either. But since we decorated our home and our shop, I thought I'd stop by and add some festive cheer to my cyber-home. I have also been posting over at the Happy Turtle about Christmas crafts and finds, so when I'm not here, try over there and say "hi!".

God willing, I hope to stop by again for a couple more Christmas posts.

See you soon,

NASA Astrobiology Discovery

2010-12-02T13:07:00.000+02:00

Nov. 29, 2010

Dwayne Brown Headquarters,

Washington 202-358-1726 dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov

Cathy Weselby Ames Research Center, Moffett Field,

Calif. 650-604-2791 cathy.weselby@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M10-167 NASA SETS NEWS CONFERENCE ON ASTROBIOLOGY DISCOVERY; SCIENCE JOURNAL HAS EMBARGOED DETAILS UNTIL 2 P.M. EST ON DEC. 2

WASHINGTON -- NASA will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 2, to discuss an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe. The news conference will be held at the NASA Headquarters auditorium at 300 E St. SW, in Washington. It will be broadcast live on NASA Television and streamed on the agency's website at http://www.nasa.gov. Participants are: - Mary Voytek, director, Astrobiology Program, NASA Headquarters, Washington - Felisa Wolfe-Simon, NASA astrobiology research fellow, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, Calif. - Pamela Conrad, astrobiologist, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. - Steven Benner, distinguished fellow, Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Gainesville, Fla. - James Elser, professor, Arizona State University, Tempe Media representatives may attend the conference or ask questions by phone or from participating NASA locations. To obtain dial-in information, journalists must send their name, affiliation and telephone number to Steve Cole at stephen.e.cole@nasa.gov or call 202-358-0918 by noon Dec. 2.

For NASA TV streaming video and downlink information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

What will it be? C and I have been guessing this morning (the conference will be held 8p.m. our time).
-Life on Mars?
-We are being attacked by Allien?
-Scientists realised that the Universe is a huge super wise living and kicking being?
-Earthians will be colonising Mars or the Moon?
-A delegation of extra-terrestrians landed with their space ship somewhere in the US?
-Astronauts are currently holding friendly talks in space with Martians?

What do you think it will be?

Oh, this is so exciting! I certainly hope it is exciting!

(Via here)

Tuesday Garden Party-Paperwhites and zinias

2010-12-02T00:25:00.000+02:00

I love paperwhites.

My mother used to decorate our home for the festive season with paperwhites, so their perfume brings me memories of a warm home, festive cookies being baked, and our name days and birthdays being celebrated.

As for zinias, they are so open hearted and colourful.

Photos taken this morning in our shop.

A feeling of Christmas

2010-12-02T00:14:00.000+02:00

The first touch of Christmas...

A TV ad I like

F decorating the shop for Christmas

Wishing you all a lovely December and a Merry Christmas

Will you pray for me?

2010-11-27T15:34:00.000+02:00

Hello dear friends,
I hope you are all having a good time, especially those of you celebrating Thanksgiving. It is such a wonderful opportunity to be Thankful to God for all the good that He surrounds us with.

I have been silent for a few days. Some of my posts were posted in advance. We have been busy at the shop planning for an upocoming party for our customers' kids on December 15.
We are going to paint pillow cases together, read Christmas stories, eat some pies and drink some of our bio wine.

However, things are not always easy and rarely go as planned, as you all know.
In the past week I have been experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding. I spoke with my OB yesterday and he gave me some blood tests to do, and take it from there. I know I have some fibroids lurking and I am very scared of what maybe going on.

Will you please hold me in your prayers?

Book Review: Kirstie Allsopp Homemade Home

2010-11-25T04:51:00.001+02:00

My new book arrived last week.

It follows on the footsteps of The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home by Jane Brocket, which is one of my desert island books. I run to it again and again for inspiration on all things domestic.

Kirstie Allsopp is one of my favorite TV presenters.

I love her style and her accent, and the way she gets involved with all her projects.

This book offers insights into Ms. Allsopp's finds for her Channel 4 TV show in an inspiring, delightful to read and easy to follow format.

There is everything from crochet to knitting, to making pillows or a lampshade,

and how to make a rag rug.

My mother and grandmother used to make these.

How to decorate a cake

And also lovely photography and room by room ideas to inspire.

If you are making your list for Santa, make sure you ask him for Kirstie's Homemade Home.

Wordless Wednesday- Wedding shoot

2010-11-24T01:13:00.000+02:00

Thank you for stopping by and commenting!

More Wordless Wednesday at 5 minutes for mom and Miles to go...

See you next week!

Yeah to the Irish a**e!

2010-11-23T14:19:00.002+02:00

Listening on the radio this morning.

Dedicated to the hateful money lenders and warmongers toying with Greece, now Ireland, and probably Portugal and Italy.

Kiss My Irish Ass Lyrics
Oh the churchbells are ringin' in the schoolyard,
And we all went out those days
The bully said "Mick would you fancy a rumble?"
I said "Yes, it's time to play!"

Oh the nuns and the priests they grabbed their Rosaries
As they pulled our bodies apart
The bully said "Mick you lost the fight, but you've gained my respect!
You fight with so much heart!"

We're as stubborn as mules
With our blood on fire
When we ain't at Sunday mass
We'll look any man straight in his eyes and say
Kiss my Irish ass!
You better kiss my Irish ass!

Oh the husbands and wives, they had a neighborhood pack
They called the Mackeys white trash behind our backs (White Trash!)
I was way too young to understand that
But if I did, I'd given it right back

Oh me dad, he'd be drunk on the lawn,
Yelling and screaming like he do
But sometimes my old man felt what he was feeling,
Sometimes Mr. Mackey spoke the truth

We're as stubborn as mules
With our blood on fire
When we ain't at Sunday mass
We'll look any man straight in his eyes and say
Kiss my Irish ass!
You better kiss my Irish ass!

Oh me grandpa passed through Ellis Island,
From the greatest of the Motherlands
For he worked, provided for his family
He was a dedicated welding man
And he knew right from wrong like day and night,
He could whip any fool in a bareknuckle fight
He talked of country like he preached of God,
One hell of an Irishman!

We're as stubborn as mules
With our blood on fire
When we ain't at Sunday mass
We'll look any man straight in his eyes and say
Kiss my Irish ass!
You better kiss my Irish ass!

Oooohh, I'm of a distant relation to John Redman,
He was one of the greatest Irish Rebels of his day
One bastard to another, on down the line
And this is what my son will say:

We're as stubborn as mules
With our blood on fire
When we ain't at Sunday mass
We'll look any man straight in his eyes and say
Kiss my Irish ass!
We're as stubborn as mules
With our blood on fire
When we ain't at Sunday mass
We'll look any man straight in his eyes and say
Kiss my Irish ass!
You better kiss my Irish ass!

Tuesday Garden Party

2010-11-23T13:27:00.000+02:00

Hello dear friends,

Today's theme is Decorating with yard/garden items.

These little fellows reside on my daughter's balcony, together with the red mushroom. Aren't they cute?

And this little guy used to light our backyard. Though the light doesn't work anymore, he makes me smile when I mook for him in the morning.

What makes you smile in the morning?

Visit more Garden Party goers right here.

See you all next week.

Mellow Yellow Monday-On the street

2010-11-22T04:09:00.002+02:00

One thing I like about memes is that they make me more aware of what is going on around me. Not just the ones I want to see, like the fallen leaves, but what is there that I do not pay attention to.

Wishing you all a lovely new week.

With Thanks to

Sunday on the mountains

2010-11-21T05:43:00.000+02:00

On Sunday morning, last weekend, my husband, his father and myself drove to his father's village.

The road to the village is always the best thrill for me, as I watch the colours around me change from those of the city to those of the countryside.

The leaves are long fallen and turn into a natural scrapbook.

I long to listen to the sound of the little rivers. Why do we always rush to the end of the journey? We must stop and listen to the giggle of the water.

The bridge, one of the two linking the village to the city world. Built some four decades ago. My father in law remembers the time when they had to cross the river to get on the road to the city.

The bell, calling the old residents and visitors to the Sunday mass.

Depicted with a certain naivety but also with faith, Jesus Christ on the ceiling of the church.


Now largely abandoned, the village still provides shelter and refuge to the faithful few who call it home.

On our way home, sheep grazing quietly in the meadows.

Some goats, too. The mountain is their kingdom.

A kind of beauty that is original and untamed.

Nature has taken over the old gardens, creating her own wild tales.

I hope your weeeknd is rich in sights and sounds and the love of those you care for.

Prayer Request

2010-11-21T04:04:00.000+02:00

Dear friends,

Today I have found in my links a blog that I cannot recall how or why I added to my blogroll. It is written by a New Age believer, which may explain partly why I had added her blog. Four years ago I was still battling myself and my faith, remember?
Anyhow. She is in great need of prayers from all of you, my dear friends. For her loved one. And for herself. Please lift them both up to Jesus Christ and let us pray for their physical salvation and the salvation of their souls. And ours.

Click here to read~pray~love on.

Amen.

Thankful Thursday

2010-11-19T11:54:00.000+02:00

Good morning, dear friends,

I am back with a day's delay :-(

I hope your week is running smoothly. There is nothing more beautiful than the ordinary little things. Some people find them boring. I like repetition. And order. Then when the little things happen, you don't really need the exceptional. Because the exceptional is right in front of you. Like when one morning I go to work, letting the husband and kids sleep a little longer...then when they wake up...they make croissants...frozen, but that's OK in my list. And they remember I refrane from chocolate during the Christmas fast...and they make some plain ones for me...which they bring wrapped in silver foil at work...where they are most needed and welcome.

My father-in-law stayed with us this past week. I'd be glad to have him stay on. He hasn't been with us on his own for more than two years. I've missed him so much.

Time spent with C's dad and uncle...travelling up to their ancestral village...Savoring the unspoiled Autumn countryside...Then a lazy lunch for ten...with lots of hugs and cheers! and nobody minding about plastic glasses...or making do...and enjoying the tightness of the place and the warmth of our hearts.

A friend calling...lost for advice...ha...been there, let me give you a hand...and pray for G...my dear friend. Being of service feels so right to me...

Doing business with people who appreciate us...and stay on until midnight to brainstorm...it's nice to know that people care...I want to care, to like and to love people. Loving people makes life easier, more easy going, the time flows, and nothing looks impossible.

Love and blessings for the weekend.

The $55 Giveaway

2010-11-17T23:55:00.000+02:00

Hi,

I thought I'd just pop in and remind you, or in case you haven't been visiitng The Happy Turtle, let you know about my Autumn giveaway.

For those newer in the blog following, The Happy Turtle is my work/design inspiration blog. I have somewhere misplaced the Happy Turtle button from my sidebar here, but will get it back, promise :-)

You may join the giveaway right here. Open until November 21st.

And while you are there, you may pop into my brocante shop, too.

See you tomorrow!

Mellow Yellow Monday-A bloom

2010-11-15T13:23:00.001+02:00

A delicate bloom.

An almost creamy white.

A hidden yellow core, embraced like a precious ray of sunshine in the heart of the flower.

A cherished gift.

Wishing you a bright and mellow new week.

Skywatch Friday

2010-11-12T15:28:00.000+02:00

Hello Skywatchers,

I love looking at the sky through the leaves.
In our garden they are turning yellow and they spice up the grass.
We will see the mirackle of their rebirth again in the Spring. So let's catch a glimpse of them now. I want to keep the magic of the Sun's rays filtered through them. May this glow and warmth keep us cheerful and hopeful in the winter months.

Thank you for stopping by! And thank you, skywatch people for puting this together!

Wordless Wednesday-Our neighbour

2010-11-10T15:24:00.000+02:00

Thanks for visiting!

More WW photos at the Wordless Wednesday HQs and 5 minutes for mom.

Tuesday Garden Party-Autumn blooms

2010-11-09T09:06:00.000+02:00

Hello dear friends,

Today I thought I'd take you for a walk around our autumn garden.

This is a small apple tree growing in out backyard.

The apples are not eatable, but I like to watch the blooms and the fruit.

There are some blooms that grace the green carpet of grass and leaves.

A bloom of our jasmin.

The leaves from our maple treas are falling on the ground.

Red and yellow, the colours of the season.

I would also like to share with you an i-phone application that you may want to check. It is called "Grow your Own" and it is supported by the most prestigious Royal Horticultural Society. It offers information and advice on growing your own fruit and vegetables.

Thank you for stopping by, and thanks to An Oregon Cottage for hosting!

See you all next week!

November 8 : Feast of the Archangels

2010-11-08T23:03:00.001+02:00

Today we celebrate the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and all the Bodiless Powers.

The orders of the Angels

~Seraphim~

The six-winged Seraphim are aflame with love for God and kindle others to such love

~Cherubim~

Through the many-eyed cherubim, wisdom is sent down to others and enlightenment of the spiritual eyes is given to see God and have knowledge of Him

~Thrones~

The God-bearing thrones serve God's justice, glorifying it and pouring out the power of justice onto the thrones of earthly judges, helping kings and masters to bring forth right judgement.

~Powers~

They have power over the evil one, in order to restrain the power of the demons, to repulse the temptations brought upon people by them, and to prevent the demons from harming anyone to the degree that they would wish. The powers strengthen the good ascetics in spiritual struggles and labors, protecting them so that they may not be deprived of the Heavenly Kingdom. They help those wrestling with passions and vices to cast out evil thoughts and slanders of the enemy and to conquer the evil one.

~Dominions~

The dominions are so named because, being themselves free, they dominate over the rest of the angels. They voluntarily and with joy serve God unceasingly.

they send down power for prudent governing and wise management to authorities on the earth set up by God. Further they teach how to control the senses, how to subdue in oneself dissolute desires and passions, how to enslave the flesh to the spirit, and how to rule over one's will and be above all temptati

~Principalities~

The principalities are named thus because they have command over the lower angels, directing them to the fulfilment of divine orders. The management of the universe and the keeping of all the kingdoms and princedoms, of lands and all peoples, races and nations, is also entrusted to them since each kingdom, race, and people have for themselves a special deeper and manager from the heavenly order called the principalities, for all their country. Further, the service of this angelic order consists in teaching the people to requite each person in authority according to his calling.

~Virtues~

The virtues, which are filled with divine strength, quickly fulfill the will of the All-High and Omnipotent Lord. They both work very great miracles and send down the grace of miracle-working to God's saints, who are worthy of such grace, in order that these may work miracles, such as healing every sickness and foretelling the future. The holy virtues also help people laboring and those overburdened by the bearing of an obedience placed on them by someone—by which their name "virtues" is explained—and they bear the infirmities of the weak. They also strengthen every man in patience and humility, giving thanks for everything to God, arranging all for our benefit.

~Archangels~

The Archangels are called the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. Their service consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge, and understanding of God's will which they receive from the higher orders of angels and announce to the lower order, i.e. the Angels and through them, to men. The archangels strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their minds with the light of knowledge of the holy Gospel and revealing the mysteries of devout faith.

~Angels~

The word angel means "messenger" and this word expresses the nature of angelic service.

Angels are also referred to as "Bodiless Powers of Heaven".

Apolytikion

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host,

we the unworthy beseech you, that

through your entreaties you will fortify us,

guarding us in the shelter of the wings

of your ethereal glory, even as

we fervently bow before you crying:

"Deliver us from all danger,

as Commanders of the Powers on high!"

Kontakion

Chief Commanders of God;

ministers of divine glory;

guides for men and leadership of the Incorporeal;

as Chief Commanders of the Incorporeal,

plead for our welfare and for great mercy.

More aboutt the angels here, here and here.

Ἀπολυτίκιον

Ἦχος δ’.
Τῶν οὐρανίωv στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεv ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵvα ταῖς ὑμῶv δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγωv, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦvτες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτεvῶς καὶ βοῶντας· Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων.

Κοντάκιον

Ἦχος β’.
Ἀρχιστράτηγοι Θεοῦ, λειτουργοῖ θείας δόξῃς, τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὁδηγοί, καὶ ἀρχηγοὶ Ἀσωμάτωv, τὸ συμφέροv ἡμῖv αἰτήσασθε, καὶ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος, ὡς τῶν Ἀσωμάτων Ἀρχιστράτηγοι.

May the Holy Angels guide us and protect us.